Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Sold by Ethic Inc.

Ethic Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 16.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,276 shares of the company's stock after selling 3,558 shares during the period. Ethic Inc.'s holdings in Ferguson were worth $3,172,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 906.7% during the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 106.3% during the 4th quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 92.5% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 258 shares of the company's stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Trading Up 0.3%

FERG traded up $0.58 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $177.19. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,018,159 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,605,827. The stock has a market cap of $35.43 billion, a PE ratio of 21.27, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $164.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $179.83. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $146.00 and a twelve month high of $225.63.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.58 by ($0.06). Ferguson had a return on equity of 34.63% and a net margin of 5.68%. The firm had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.74 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st were issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.87%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.84%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on FERG shares. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. They set an "overweight" rating and a $204.00 price target on the stock. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, March 17th. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Ferguson from $205.00 to $190.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 19th. Zelman & Associates lowered Ferguson from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on Ferguson from $211.00 to $190.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $199.38.

Ferguson Profile

Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States and Canada. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, commercial, civil/infrastructure, and industrial end markets. The company also provides expertise, solutions, and products, including infrastructure, plumbing, appliances, fire, fabrication, and others, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products under the Ferguson brand name.